Orthodontic bracket and lock pin

ABSTRACT

An orthodontic bracket device for use with the straight wire and light wire corrective techniques either singly or in combination. The bracket features intersecting securement slots for both reduced bulk and advantageous placement of the control wires closer to the tooth surface. In combination with a SHORT T-pin the two corrective techniques are simultaneously used without increasing the bulk of the bracket or wearer discomfort.

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 07/324,860 filedMar. 17, 1989 which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No.07/096,865 filed Sept. 15, 1987.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an orthodontic Bracket and associated Lock pinfor use therewith. This bracket and lock pin advantageously allow theuse of the commonly known Light wire and Edgewise orthodontic correctivetechniques either singly or in combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional orthodontic treatments, two methods of treatment areprimarily used. The first technique is known as the edgewise technique,which consists of applying moving force to the tooth by the use of abracket having a rectangularly sectioned arch wire receiving slot withan arch wire received therein. The tooth is moved by the application ofangular torque to the bracket by the square sectioned arch wire. Thistorque is transferred to the underlying tooth, attached to the bracket,which then moves in the desired direction. A variation on the edgewisetechnique is the Straight wire technique. In the straight wiretechnique, the torque and angulation are preadjusted in the bracket.

The second technique uses a lighter wire and is known as the Begg lightwire technique. This technique is characterized by the application of alight, round sectioned arch wire, the force being applied to the toothbracket by a different form of attachment of the light wire to thebracket. The result is similar to that of the rectangularly sectionedarch wire in that the energy stored in the wire by spring means istransferred to the tooth over time. It is very useful to have theversatility of a combination bracket that allows the use of eithertechnique singly or both techniques simultaneously.

The problem associated with the prior art combination orthodonticbrackets for use with the above discussed techniques is the bulkiness ofthe bracket. An example of a prior art tooth bracket is shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The bracket 10 comprises a backing member 12 (for attachment toeither a tooth band or the tooth directly), a body member 11 which has ahorizontal slot 16 and vertical slot 14 located therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the bracket of FIG. 1 using the light wire correctivetechnique. Conventional long pin 15 is inserted into the verticallyoriented slot to wedge against and hold light wire 40 against thebacking member of the bracket.

The bracket of FIGS. 1 and 2 is characterized by the location of thehorizontal slot 16 in non-intersecting relation to vertical slot 14.This bracket configuration necessarily results in a relatively thicker,bulky, bracket which, because of its thickness, places the square archwire a comparatively large distance from the surface of the tooth andimpairs the performance thereof. Additionally, the increased bulkresults in decreased wearer comfort due to the surrounding cheek tissueresiliently pressing against the protruding brackets and wires.

Examples of bulky prior art orthodontic bracket devices are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,496,318, 4,427,381, 4,227,876 and 3,163,933.Universally however, the prior art brackets are needlessly bulky andare, therefore, uncomfortable to the wearer and further provide inferiorprecision for the orthodontist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bracket according to the present invention combines the advantages ofallowing single or simultaneous use of the straight wire and light wirecorrective techniques with a low bulk bracket. Due to the intersectingconfiguration of the horizontal and vertical slots within the bracket,the bracket is necessarily characterized by reduced bulk and hence,increased comfort for the wearer and increased precision for theoperator. An important element in the functionality of this bracket isthe cooperating lock pin, which allows simultaneous use of the straightwire and light wire techniques. The lock pin of the present inventionpermits full, simultaneous, utilization of the horizontal and verticalslots without interference therebetween.

Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, aswell as the methods and operation and functions of the related elementsof the structure, and to the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdescription and the appended claims with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein likereference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a prior art bracket device incorporatinghorizontal and vertical slots.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the bracket of FIG. 1 with a locking pin andlight wire in place.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bracket according to the presentinvention suitable for use with the edgewise corrective technique.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a bracket according to the presentinvention suitable for use with the straight wire corrective technique.

FIG. 4 is a lateral view of a bracket according to the present inventionwith locking pin and light wire in place.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a bracket according to the presentinvention with locking pin and light wire in place.

FIG. 5B is the same view as in FIG. 5A only with the pin in a lockedconfiguration.

FIG. 6 is a bracket according to the present invention with arectangular arch wire and elastic ligature in place.

FIG. 7 is a bracket and lock pin according to the present inventionshown in perspective and removed views.

FIG. 8 is a bracket and lock pin according to the present invention withthe rectangular and light wires in place.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the locking pin according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a modified locking pin according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bracket according to the presentinvention with the rectangular and light wires held in place by themodified locking pin of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a further modification of the lockingpin according to the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a modified version of the locking pinof FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another modification of the lockingpin according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bracket according to the presentinvention showing the light wire held in place by the modified lockingpin of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 14A is a lateral view of a further modification of the locking pinaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a lateral view of a bracket according to the presentinvention showing the light wire held in place by the modified lockingpin of FIG. 14A and FIG. 14C is similar view of an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a bracketaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 15 with therectangular and light wires held in place by the modified locking pin ofFIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to drawing FIGS. 3 and 3A the following description of abracket according to the present invention is offered. Bracket 20includes two major portions, a backing member 22 and a frontal bodymember connected thereto. The frontal body member comprises an upperfrontal body member 21, center body member 27 and lower rearwardlycurved body member 23. The backing member 22 functions so that thebracket 20 may be attached either to a band (around a tooth) or thetooth itself by an appropriate adhesive. The body members 21, 23 and 27cooperate in a single contiguous body configuration and have thevertical and horizontal slots located therein.

The upper frontal body member 21 resembles a hollow rectangular blockupended with a slot 24 running throughout the length thereof. The upperfrontal body member 21 is positioned on top of center body member 27.Center body member 27 accommodates the substantially horizontal slot 26and the extended portions of vertical slot 24. It should be noted thatthese slots 24 and 26 intersect in the region of the center body member27. The rearwardly curved lower body member 23 forms the bottom of thefrontal slot 26 and then curves downward and rearward from the bottom ofthe slot in order to function as a securement for an elastic ligaturemember (described in conjunction with FIG. 6).

FIG. 3 illustrates a bracket according to the present invention which issuited for use with the edgewise corrective technique wherein the torqueand angulation forces are contained in the rectangular arch wire via theinherent resiliency of the wire. FIG. 3A illustrates a bracket accordingto the present invention for use with the straight wire techniquewherein the torque and angulation forces are preadjusted (contained) inthe bracket, i.e., the bracket contains angled slots to suit.

Between upper frontal body member 21 and the backing member 22, thereexists a U-shaped wire guide 25. This wire guide 25 accommodates thelight wire of the Begg corrective technique. The wire guide is alsopositioned rearward of the vertical slot 24 so that a locking pin may beinserted in the slot and wedge against a wire positioned in the wireguide 25.

The configuration shown in FIG. 4 demonstrates the use of a bracketaccording to the present invention using a single light wire technique.

FIG. 4 illustrates bracket 20 with a light wire 40 and pin 30 inposition. The pin 30 includes basically two members: a pin hat 32 andpin stay shaft member 34. These elements of the pin 30 cooperate toengage vertical slot 24, the rearward edge of the rearwardly curvedlower body portion 23, and the backing member 22 in order to wedge andsecurely retain wire member 40. At this point it is important to noticethat body portions 21 and 23 of bracket 20 are considerably thinner ascompared to body portion 11 of the prior art bracket of FIG. 1 or 2.Thus, the vertical slot 24 intersects horizontal slot 26 and pin 30obstructs horizontal slot 26.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the bracket and light wire member asshown in FIG. 4, but with a different kind of locking pin 42. Theconfiguration, however, is identical to that of FIG. 4 and all of thelike elements function in a similar manner. The locking pin 42 may be ofany convenient configuration as long as the basic locking functionagainst light wire 40 is accomplished.

It is important to point out that the long length of the pins, enablesthem to extend through the vertical slot of the bracket and be securedin place by bending, around the bottom of the bracket, an end 44 of theshank which extends from the end of the lock pin channel remote from thelock pin head. (FIG. 5A shows the pin "unlocked" and FIG. 5B shows thepin "locked").

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of bracket 20 when the edgewise orstraight wire technique is used alone with a rectangular arch wire 50inserted and held in frontal slot 26. The arch wire is held in place byan elastic ligature member 52. The elastic ligature member hooks overthe top portion of the upper frontal body portion 21 of bracket 20. Theligature member then extends over the arch wire 50 along the side of thebracket and loops around below the arch wire and hooks onto therearwardly curved lower body portion 23 of bracket 20. Thus, therectangular arch wire 50 is securely fastened within frontal slot 26 andis able to impart any required forces to the underlying tooth. Due tothe reduced bulk construction of the bracket 20, the arch wire 50 ispositioned in close proximity to the surface of the tooth. Suchpositioning enables more precise control over tooth movement than withthe prior art bracket illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of bracket 20 and the short T-pin 60 of thepresent invention. This unique pin greatly assists in the simultaneoususe of the edgewise and light wire corrective techniques. The pinconsists of a stay shaft 64, lateral wings 62, and a top T-portion 61.The stay shaft 64 is short, just the length of the upper frontal bodymember 21, so when it's inserted into the vertical slot 24 of bracket 20it does not pass through the horizontal slot while the lateral wingssimultaneously slipover the side portions of the upper frontal bodyportion 21 and provides stability to the pin and avoids any movementthereof. This T-formation enables the lateral wings 62 to engage theside surfaces of the upper body portion 21. Additionally, the SHORTT-pin 60 has a backing wedge member 63. The backing wedge functions soas to securely hold a light wire received in the U-shaped wire guide 25.An additional feature of this SHORT T-pin is extension 65. When theT-pin is inserted into bracket 20, it is seen that the lateral wingsextend beside body portion 21 and obstruct the previous wrapping path ofthe ligature (as shown in FIG. 6). The extension 65 enables the wrappingof the ligature member over the top of the pin to further secure the pinin position. Extension 65 allows a ligature member to merely hook behindthe extension rather than completely wrap the lateral wings of the T-pinand impair the performance of the pin by possibly encouraging itsdisplacement upwards and out of the vertical slot. This configuration isshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates bracket 20 when both the light wire and rectangularwire are being used simultaneously. A light wire 40 is inserted intowire guide 25; subsequently a rectangular arch wire 50 is inserted intofrontal slot 26. The light wire 40 is held in place by the backing wedge63 of SHORT T-pin 60. The SHORT T-pin is stabilized in position by thelateral wings being extended beside the upper frontal body portion. Anelastic ligature member 52 is then extended over extension 65 to secureSHORT T-pin 60 and wraps in front of arch wire 50 and then below andaround the rearwardly curved lower body portion 23 of bracket 20. Inthis configuration, both the rectangular and light wires areadvantageously used with a bracket having substantially less bulk thanprior art brackets. Further, the wires 40 and 50 maintain a closeproximity to the underlying tooth and thus allow superior control andprecision of tooth placement and movement. The combined result of theuse of this bracket is comfort to the wearer and convenience to theoperator.

FIG. 9B illustrates a modification of the SHORT T-pin 60 shown in FIG.9A. In that modification, an elastic ligature 72 is attached, forinstance, by bonding, at each of its two ends to respective ends of thelateral wings 62 of SHORT T-pin 60. In this manner, the SHORT T-pin 60and the elastic ligature 72 form a single unit.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when both the rectangular and roundarch wires are to be used simultaneously with the bracket 20, it ispossible to secure those wires with the pin 60 in one easy step. Afterthe rectangular wire and the round wire are placed in theircorresponding slots, the stay shaft 64 of SHORT T-pin 60 is theninserted in the vertical slot 24 of bracket 20 and the elastic ligature72 is stretched to engage the lower portion 23 of the bracket 20. Usingthis modified pin design, the upper extension 65 of the stay shaft 64shown in FIG. 9A can be eliminated.

FIG. 11A illustrates another embodiment of the SHORT T-pin in which thepin 70 and the elastic ligature are integrally formed. This embodimentdoes not employ the lateral wings 62 of the SHORT T-pin 60 as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. Rather, the pin 70 comprises a solid, elongated shaftmember 73 and a cross member 74 formed integrally therewith which can bemade out of any suitable material including plastic. The elasticligature 75 is formed into a ring shape and molded integrally with thecross member 74. In operation, after the rectangular and circular wiresare inserted in their respective slots, shaft member 73 is placed in thevertical slot 24 of bracket 20 and the elastic ligature 75 is stretchedinto engagement with the lower portion 23 of bracket 20. As illustratedin FIG. 11B, the dimensions of shaft member 73 can vary in accordancewith the orthodontic treatment required.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the SHORT T-pin whereinthe pin 80 and the elastic ligature are formed as a single unit. As inthe other embodiments, the pin 80 is formed with a solid, elongatedshaft member 82 which engages with vertical slot 24 of bracket 20. Inthis embodiment, however, the ligature 81 is looped around a hook member83 formed in a cross member 84 of pin 80. The hook member 83 forms aneyelet 85 for receiving the ligature 81. The end of the hook member 83is curved in the direction of the cross member 84 such that the ligaturecannot be easily removed through the opening 86 of the eyelet 85.

The modified locking pins illustrated in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 13 are usedwith the bracket 20 of the present invention in the same manner asdisclosed in connection with the other pins. FIG. 13 shows, for example,the modified pin 70 of FIG. 11A used with the bracket 20 to secure theround arch wire in place. In that embodiment, after the wire ispositioned in its corresponding slot in bracket 20, the elongated shaftmember 73 of pin 70 is inserted into the vertical slot 24 of bracket 20.The elastic ligature 75 can then be stretched to engage with the lowerportion 23 of the bracket 20. The unitary structure of pin 70facilitates securing the wires to the bracket in one simple step.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate yet other embodiments of a locking pin90 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14A, thelocking pin 90 is similar to the other previously disclosed pins in thatit is provided with an elongated shaft member 93 to which is attached anelastic ligature 95. Locking pin 90 differs in that the shaft member 93is formed with a protruding foot member 97.

When the pin 90 is position within the bracket 20, as best seen in FIG.14B, the foot member 97 rests on top of the arch wire 40 lying in thewire guide 25 of bracket 20. The downward pressure created by theligature 95, when engaged with the lower body portion 23 of the bracket20, forces foot member 97 into pressure contact with the arch wire 40,locking it firmly in place. In FIG. 14C, foot member 91 is formed with arecess 92 shaped to complement the surface of the wire 40 such as asemi-circular groove where the wire is circular.

The locking pin 90 of FIG. 14A can further be modified to accommodatearch wires of varying diameters. Preferably, this is accomplished byvarying the length of the shaft member 93 and, correspondingly, thelength of the foot member 97, while keeping the length and elasticity ofthe ligature 95 constant. Alternatively, the same result can beaccomplished by maintaining the dimensions of the shaft member 93 andfoot member 97 and varying the elasticity and/or length of ligature 97.

FIG. 15 illustrates a modified embodiment of the bracket according tothe present invention which can accommodate both rectangular and roundarch wires. This embodiment is similar to the bracket 20 shown in FIG. 3in that the twin combination bracket 100 is formed with a backing member101 and a frontal body member 102 connected thereto. The frontal bodymember 102 includes an upper frontal body member 103, a center bodymember 104, and a lower, rearwardly curved body member 105. A verticalslot 106, extending through the frontal body member 102, accommodatesthe shaft member of a locking pin. A horizontal slot 107 in the centerbody member 104 is used to retain a rectangular wire.

The bracket 100 differs from previously disclosed embodiments in theconstruction of the lower body member 105. As shown in FIG. 15, bodymember 105 has two leg members 108 separated by a cut-out section 109.The leg members 108 curved downward and rearward from the bottom of thehorizontal slot 107 for engaging an elastic ligature of a locking pin asillustrated in FIG. 16.

The leg members 108 of bracket 100 are advantageous in that they form abody member 105 that has a decreased surface area. Decreasing the amountof material that forms the body member 105 reduces contact with thesurrounding sensitive cheek tissues in the wearer's mouth. In so doing,wearer comfort is greatly increased. A further advantage of the designof bracket 100 is that it can be formed using significantly lessmaterial, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.

Although the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An orthodontic bracket device for use with alight wire technique and edgewise correction technique, comprising:abacking plate for attachment to a tooth band or tooth; a body portionconnected to said backing plate having a frontal slot located thereinalong a midsection thereof for receipt of an arch wire, said bodyportion also having a passageway located therethrough which intersectssaid frontal slot, said passageway extending upwardly through anupwardly protruding portion of said body portion, said upwardlyprotruding portion being positioned relative to said backing plate so asto create a light wire receiving channel therebetween, said body portionalso having a lower portion located immediately beneath said frontalslot; said lower portion of said body portion including two leg members,wherein said light wire receiving channel has a light wire receivedtherein and said passageway has a locking pin means inserted therein forsecuring said light wire in said light wire receiving channel, saidlocking pin means having front and back sides and comprising a centershaft member, said center shaft member extending to, but not through,said frontal slot; said frontal slot having a rectangular arch wirereceived therein with portions thereof extending beyond said bodyportion of said bracket device, said arch wire being held securely insaid frontal slot by an elastic ligature means, said elastic ligaturemeans permanently secured to said locking pin means for looping aroundsaid leg members of said lower body portion and riding over saidportions of said rectangular arch wire and wherein said center shaftmember of said locking pin means includes a foot member located on saidback side thereof for coacting with said light wire receiving channel tosecurely retain said light wire therein.
 2. The orthodontic bracketdevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein said foot member has a sidethereof for engaging the light wire, said side having a recess shaped tocomplement the surface of the light wire.
 3. The orthodontic bracketdevice as set forth in claim 2, wherein said recess is a semi-circulargroove.
 4. The orthodontic bracket device as set forth in claim 2,wherein said locking pin means and said elastic ligature means areformed as a single integral unit.
 5. The orthodontic bracket device asset forth in claim 1, wherein said locking pin means has a cross shaftmember connected to said central shaft member, said cross shaft memberhaving two distal ends and said elastic ligature means having two distalends, each of said ends of said elastic ligature means permanentlysecured to respective ends of said cross shaft member to form a closedloop therewith.
 6. An orthodontic bracket device for use with a lightwire technique and edgewise correction technique, comprising:a backingplate for attachment to a tooth band or tooth; a body portion connectedto said backing plate having a frontal slot located therein along amidsection thereof for receipt of an arch wire, said body portion alsohaving a passageway located therethrough which intersects said frontalslot, said passageway extending upwardly through an upwardly protrudingportion of said body portion, said upwardly protruding portion beingpositioned relative to said backing plate so as to create a light wirereceiving channel therebetween, said body portion also having a lowerbody portion including leg members located immediately beneath saidfrontal slot; said light wire receiving channel having a light wirereceived therein and said passageway having a locking pin means insertedtherein for securing said light wire in said light wire receivingchannel, said locking pin means having front and back sides andcomprising a center shaft member, said center shaft member extending to,but not through, said frontal slot; said frontal slot having arectangular arch wire received therein with portions thereof extendingbeyond said body portion of said bracket device, said arch wire beingheld securely in said frontal slot by an elastic ligature means, saidelastic ligature means being fixedly secured to said locking pin meansfor looping around said leg members of said lower body portion andriding over said portions of said rectangular arch wire, said centershaft member of said locking pin means including a foot member locatedon said back side thereof for coacting with said light wire receivingchannel to securely retain said light wire therein, said foot memberhaving a side thereof for engaging the light wire, said side having arecess shaped to complement the surface of the light wire.
 7. Theorthodontic bracket device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said recessis a semi-circular groove.
 8. An orthodontic bracket device for use witha light wire technique and edgewise correction technique comprising:abacking plate for attachment to a tooth band or tooth; a body portionconnected to said backing plate having a frontal slot located thereinalong a midsection thereof for receipt of an arch wire, said bodyportion also having a passageway located therethrough which intersectssaid frontal slot, said passageway extending upwardly through anupwardly protruding portion of said body portion, said upwardlyprotruding portion being positioned relative to said backing plate so asto create a light wire receiving channel therebetween, said body portionalso having a lower portion located immediately beneath said frontalslot; said light wire receiving channel having a light wire receivedtherein and said passageway having a locking pin means inserted thereinfor securing said light wire in said light wire receiving channel, saidlocking pin means having front and back sides and comprising a centershaft member, said center shaft member extending to, but not through,said frontal slot; said frontal slot having a rectangular arch wirereceived therein with portions thereof extending beyond said bodyportion of said bracket device, said arch wire being held securely insaid frontal slot by an elastic ligature means, said elastic ligaturemeans being permanently secured to said locking pin means for loopingaround said lower portion of said body portion and riding over saidportions of said rectangular arch wire, said locking pin means having apair of lateral shaft members connected to said central shaft member bya cross shaft member, each of said lateral shaft members having a distalend and said elastic ligature means having two distal ends, each of saidends of said elastic ligature means being permanently secured torespective ends of said lateral shaft members to form a closed looptherewith.
 9. An orthodontic bracket device for use with a light wiretechnique and edgewise correction technique comprising:a backing platefor attachment to a tooth band or tooth; a body portion connected tosaid backing plate having a frontal slot located therein along amidsection thereof for receipt of an arch wire, said body portion alsohaving a passageway located therethrough which intersects said frontalslot, said passageway extending upwardly through an upwardly protrudingportion of said body portion, said upwardly protruding portion beingpositioned relative to said backing plate so as to create a light wirereceiving channel therebetween, said body portion also having a lowerportion located immediately beneath said frontal slot; said light wirereceiving channel having a light wire received therein and saidpassageway having a locking pin means inserted therein for securing saidlight wire in said light wire receiving channel, said locking pin meanshaving front and back sides and comprising a center shaft member, saidcenter shaft member extending to, but not through, said frontal slot;said frontal slot having a rectangular arch wire received therein withportions thereof extending beyond said body portion of said bracketdevice, said arch wire being held securely in said frontal slot by anelastic ligature means, said elastic ligature means being permanentlysecured to said locking pin means for looping around said lower portionof said body portion and riding over said portions of said rectangulararch wire, said locking pin means having a cross shaft member connectedto said central shaft member, said cross shaft member having two distalends and said elastic ligature means having two distal ends, each ofsaid ends of said elastic ligature means being permanently secured torespective ends of said cross shaft member to form a closed looptherewith.
 10. The orthodontic bracket device as set forth in claim 9,wherein said locking pin means and said elastic ligature means areformed as a single integral unit.
 11. An orthodontic bracket device foruse with a light wire technique and edgewise correction techniquecomprising:a backing plate for attachment to a tooth band or tooth; abody portion connected to said backing plate having a frontal slotlocated therein along a midsection thereof for receipt of an arch wire,said body portion also having a passageway located therethrough whichintersects said frontal slot, said passageway extending upwardly throughan upwardly protruding portion of said body portion, said upwardlyprotruding portion being positioned relative to said backing plate so asto create a light wire receiving channel therebetween, said body portionalso having a lower portion located immediately beneath said frontalslot; said light wire receiving channel having a light wire receivedtherein and said passageway having a locking pin means inserted thereinfor securing said light wire in said light wire receiving channel, saidlocking pin means having front and back sides and comprising a centershaft member, said center shaft member extending to, but not through,said frontal slot; said frontal slot having a rectangular arch wirereceived therein with portions thereof extending beyond said bodyportion of said bracket device, said arch wire being held securely insaid frontal slot by an elastic ligature means, said elastic ligaturemeans being permanently secured to said locking pin means for loopingaround said lower portion of said body portion and riding over saidportions of said rectangular arch wire, said locking pin means beingprovided with a cross shaft member connected to said central shaftmember, said cross shaft member having a hook member forming an eyeletfor permanently receiving said elastic ligature means.